Bail-bond Bill Brews Conflict For Broward Lobbyist

BUDDY NEVINS POLITICS

The Bible says that men should not serve two masters. Scripture obviously wasn't referring to Ron Book, a lobbyist for Broward County.

Book earns $40,000 to watch out for the county's interests during the two-month state legislative session.

That sometimes means serving two masters -- Broward and a group opposed to what Broward is trying to do.

Book represented the bail-bond industry and, in the final days of this year's legislative session, got an amendment adopted that would end the release without bail of those accused of a violent crime. Housing the extra inmates in jail will cost Broward up to $7 million annually.

Ilene Lieberman, the county commission chairwoman, says Book violated his county contract. The contract forbids Book from representing clients "adverse to the interests of the county."

Being told of Lieberman's criticism, Book demonstrated why he is one of Tallahassee's best lobbyists. He immediately put Lieberman on the political defensive.

"I don't think it is in the interest of the county to have violent criminals released without bail to walk the streets," said Book. "The county staff was fully aware of my representing the bail-bonds [folks]."

Book and Lieberman will face off at Tuesday's commission meeting.

Jenne vs. the NRA

Voters like their sheriff to be tough. Is there a better way to polish that image in Broward than to take on the National Rifle Association?

Sheriff Ken Jenne will ask the Legislature to allow Florida counties to ban assault rifles. The future bill, filed by a member of the Broward Legislative Delegation, would permit county commissioners to outlaw the weapons within their counties.

Jenne knows the NRA, which is opposed to any regulation of guns, will fight the proposal.

So he has a fallback: Requiring stores and gun-show salespeople to lock the weapons in a safe overnight. This idea comes from last month's late-night theft of assault weapons hanging on the wall of a Pembroke Park pawnshop.

"Sometimes you try for a big step and get to take a small step," Jenne said. "I think something is doable."

The sheriff concedes a tough stand against the NRA won't hurt him politically in Broward, where he will be running either for re-election or for county mayor next year.

Schools pressured

Gay and lesbian activists have been pressuring the School Board to add sexual orientation to its definition of minorities.

The School Board is sympathetic to equality for gays and lesbians. For instance, Broward schools have openly homosexual teachers.

In return for the board's liberal attitudes, the gay and lesbian community has been a source of votes, volunteers and campaign cash for the board.

But this latest idea from homosexual activists has run into a problem: Minority groups named in the definition are counted by the school system.

So altering the definition, which includes gender and ethnic backgrounds, could require students to be asked their sexual preference. That is sure to cause protests by parents.

The diversity committee -- 31 volunteers dedicated to equality -- might have found a way out for the board this week.

The committee said that a statement of tolerance for gays and lesbians should be enough.

Congress to cappuccino

Former U. S. Rep. Larry Smith -- soon to be a lobbyist for Broward County -- has gone from Congress to part-time greeter at his son Grant's Fort Lauderdale restaurant.

The congressman, who resigned in 1992 as part of a campaign-contribution scandal that ended with him in jail, can be seen on occasion circulating through the Dancing Bear restaurant, asking customers if they enjoyed their meals.

Smear investigated

The State Attorney's Office is investigating a packet of information mailed to reporters, including those at the Sun-Sentinel, and officials in January. The information smeared Mayor Harry Venis of Davie.

The documents alleged the mayor was padding his expense account.

Venis, who denies the allegations, asked prosecutors to look into who was making the anonymous charges.

Buddy Nevins' column runs on Saturdays. He can be reached at bnevins@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4571.